The singers in the vocal quartet, HØST met with the common vision of creating a vocal playground where they, with their four voices and nothing else, would interpret and challenge the traditions of Nordic folk music as well as modern polyphonic singing. Inspired by Nordic instrumental folk, Bulgarian women’s choirs, and the harmonious universe of jazz, HØST create their own sound of melancholic Nordic sounds, powerful raw dissonances and melodic rhythm games.
HØST consists of:
Lene Høst (DK) – Vingefang, Alamente, leader of the choir Roots
Liv Vester (DK) – “Creative – without Nature?”, Huldrelokkk, Alamente
Maja Freese (DK) – Vesselil, Vingefang, Barani Duo, Mynsterland
Filippa Westerberg (SE) – Kaisin, Trio Videungar
HØST first met in August 2020. During the first year they focused on creating a repertoire and finding each other musically. The COVID-lock down had the silver lining of giving them time to do this even though the planned concerts were postponed. When they finally had their debut, they weren’t even there – instead it was recorded and broadcast on four huge screens with surround sound in a large park. This was inspired by the limitations due to the restrictions at the time. After the music scene started to open again the interest has been very positive and the group have been invited to sing at concerts and events, for example: Musik i Han Herred, Arena Nord in Frederikshavn, FolkAmok – Fiolen in Cph, The annual seminar of Danish Choir Leaders, Huset i Hasserisgade and Ansgars Church in Odense.
The group is inspired by folk songs and different singing traditions, but also a deep fascination of interpreting instrumental music vocally, since three of the members are also educated string players. Right now, HØST is working on developing their own sound of arranging, composing and improvisation. The attached music is an example of a composition by a member of the group and inspired by bird song.
The next step for HØST is to record and release an album in 2022. The project has already received support from KODA and Korsangernes Fællesråd.